"There is no possibility of planning a draw that favors us -– I haven't even done the calculations. The only thing that interests us is winning."

-- Spain coach Vicente del
Bosque on his team's final group game against Croatia -- in the wake of Italian media speculation that Spain and Croatia could collude for a 2-2 tie that would see both teams through at the
expense of Italy, which faces Ireland in its Group C finale on Monday. (PA)

Though one would not want to see it be a match arranged by the Spaniards and the Croatians, can one really blame them if it were to end 2-2? I am rather certain it would be very obvious if this were 2-2 result achieved through some sort of agreement before and/or while on the pitch. Try as one might, one cannot eliminate these tournament scenarios like what first gained massive worldwide attention at the 1982 World Cup in Spain when German and Austria arranged the third group stage game 1-0 win for Germany -- at Algeria's expense. All I would say to Italian footballers is, well, then you should have played much, much better versus Spain and certainly against Croatia. Neither was a display that is worthy of a second round berth. As much as the Italian soccer, its federation, and its management of the top four tiers is in absolute disarray, I cannot but think it best justice for all concerned if the Irish sneak in a goal or two and down the Azzurri so that it won't matter at all how the Spaniards and Croats play in Gdansk.